25-Gallon Blood Donor Honored

April 10, 2010

Somerset Medical Center recently honored Alice Gazaway of Manville for donating 25 gallons of blood to the medical center’s Blood Donor Program. Gazaway, who began donating blood 35 years ago, is only the second medical center donor to achieve that milestone.

During a special blood donor recognition event at the medical center, Alan Gray, of Bridgewater, the medical center’s first 25-gallon blood donor, presented Gazaway with an award honoring her achievement.

“Alice’s commitment to our Blood Donor Program has been extraordinary,” said Christina Leung, supervisor of Somerset Medical Center’s Blood Donor Program. “Through the simple act of giving blood on a regular basis over the past 35 years, she has helped save the lives of hundreds of patients at Somerset Medical Center. We are so grateful for her dedication and we hope her accomplishment helps inspire others in our community to donate blood.”

Somerset Medical Center’s Blood Donor Program is one of only a few hospital-run programs of its kind in New Jersey. It relies on volunteer blood donors to provide most of the blood used annually by patients at the medical center.

Anyone who is at least 16 years old and is in general good health may be eligible to donate blood.

Somerset Medical Center’s Blood Donor Program is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Fridays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursdays. Appointments are preferred. Walk-ins are also welcomed. To schedule an appointment, call 908-685-2926. For more information about the Blood Donor Program and eligibility criteria for blood donors, visit www.somersetmedicalcenter.com/blood.